As part of our Leadership Series at BRC, Andy Harding, Chief Development Officer, shared his expertise on the importance of networking and practice growth in in the CPA profession with a full class of Firm interns. The evolution of CPA firm efforts in relationship building and firm growth practices are critical for increasing revenue, market presence, service diversification, and operational efficiency. Harding also summarized that dedicating time to efforts in firm growth contributes to long-term success and sustainability in the accounting industry.
Here’s a look at the valuable insights shared.
The Importance of Networking for CPAs
Interns were asked to share their thoughts on networking and its significance for CPAs and CPA firms.
Jeremiah, a college senior graduating this December, highlighted the importance of networking for staying updated with industry trends. “Having a large network of CPAs allows you to pick up on new trends and compare practices,” he explained. Jeremiah also emphasized the value of attending networking events to ask questions and learn from peers outside the firm.
Morgan, another BRC intern, spoke about the broader benefits of networking. “They teach you how to market yourself,” she noted. For Morgan, networking events are important for self-improvement and for providing platforms to showcase skills and make meaningful connections.
Advice from Andy Harding
Harding emphasized the strategic aspect of networking, practice development and firm growth as a whole. He pointed out that building connections within the industry can lead to potential client relationships and business opportunities. He encouraged the interns to view networking as an ongoing practice that enhances both personal and professional growth. The interns left with a clear understanding of how these connections and other growth efforts can contribute to their success in the CPA field.
Andy Harding Chief Development Officer
Andy serves as BRC’s Chief Development Officer. Known as a bold and successful innovator and leader of practice growth, Andy has nearly 36 years in the business community and 26+ years in the accounting industry. He possesses extensive knowledge in positioning complex services for owners, CFOs and other “C-level” executives. Andy heads BRC’s strategic […]
This is one of a series of articles summarizing weekly presentations by BRC professionals to 14 summer interns. The selected students, representing eight colleges across North Carolina, will meet for 10 weeks in the Greensboro office to learn about BRC operations. For more information on the new Leadership BRC Program, contact Kim Ripberger, CPA, Chief People Officer, at [email protected].